Communication Studies: Bachelor of Arts in Communication

The Bachelor of Arts in Communication offers a general degree program as well as three optional concentrations in which students may choose to specialize. These include Journalism, Rhetoric and Media, and Leadership and Advocacy. This degree focuses on the roles interpersonal and mediated messages play in shaping personal, group, and societal attitudes, values, beliefs, actions, and received realities.

The Journalism concentration engages students in the evolving forms and practices of the journalism profession, including print and online journalism. These include developing abilities to gather and assess information from a variety of sources, including interviews, public meetings, databases, and public records; write news stories that are accurate and well-sourced; and apply the standards of the Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics in all arenas of professional activity.

Students pursuing a Rhetoric and Media concentration develop critical understandings about the persuasive roles various forms of media play in shaping our economy, culture, and public, political discourse. This includes developing abilities to deconstruct media messages using rhetorical and media literacy tools, and to recognize and assess the economic underpinnings and performance of mass mediated forms – including journalism (online, print, and broadcast), entertainment media, public relations and advertising – in advancing and inhibiting democratic practice. These students take courses such as broadcast criticism, cinema and society, advertising, and visual communication. Students graduating with a media studies emphasis will find professional careers in advertising, public relations, sales, management, etc.

Learners choosing a Leadership and Advocacy concentration gain competency in the means by which people influence the direction and outcomes of activities that pursue shared goals within relationships and communities. Learners develop abilities to explain and apply leadership knowledge, skills, and values focused on making a difference within particular contexts and situations, attend to ethical questions attached to leading in particular contexts, and become involved in contemporary dilemmas involving multiple stakeholders embedded in diverse social and historical contexts. These students take courses such as argumentation and advocacy, social media and culture, negotiation and conflict management, and the rhetoric of politics and social change.

Students in all concentrations are encouraged to explore potential callings and occupations via the professional training made available through a plethora of community-based academic internships. This degree prepares students for professional communication work and for graduate study in a variety of fields.

College Requirements, B.A. -- 21-33 hours

Hrs.

3

Effective Communication (CST 107, CST 332, ENG 107, ENG 311)

3

Metaphysics (one course from PHL 331-337)

15

Credits of upper-division courses outside the primary major, 9 of which must come from 3 different disciplines in the College of Arts and Sciences. This requirement is not fulfilled by the University core.

0-12

Intermediate level of one language

Major Requirements -- 42 hours

Hrs.

3

CST 101 - Introduction to Communication Studies

3

CST 107 - Effective Public Speaking

3

CST 225 - Fundamentals of Interpersonal Communication

3

CST 301 - Media and Society

6

Two of the following three research methods courses:

CST 300 - Communication Research

CST 320 - Rhetorical Theory and Criticism

CST 434 - Examining Organizational Communications in Natural Settings

Beyond these courses, students may complete their CST B.A. in either of two ways:

24

Eight upper-division CST courses students choose in consultation with their academic advisors; at least three of which must be 400-level courses.

or

12

Four upper-division CST courses students choose in consultation with their academic advisors,

plus

12

Four upper-division CST courses from any one of the following three concentrations. At least three of the resulting eight courses must be at the 400-level:

Leadership and Advocacy- Take CST 327 - Argumentation and Advocacy, plus any three of these:

3

CST 307 - Advanced Public Speaking

3

CST 332 - Collaborative Leadership in Groups

3

CST 333 - Applied Organizational Communication Skills

3

CST 362 - Introduction to Public Relations

3

CST 401 - Rhetoric of Politics and Social Change

3

CST 402 - Social Media and Culture

3

CST 403 - Communication Law

3

CST 410 - Communication Theory

3

CST 416 - Negotiation and Conflict Management

3

CST 474 - Internship

3

CST 391, 491, or 492 - Special topics courses as appropriate

or

Rhetoric and Media(CST 320 recommended as one research methods course choice). Take any four of the following:

3

CST 361 - Introduction to Advertising

3

CST 362 - Introduction to Public Relations

3

CST 364 - Visual Communication

3

CST 402 - Social Media and Culture

3

CST 403 - Communication Law

3

CST 435 - Advanced Visual Persuasion

3

CST 440 - Broadcast Criticism

3

CST 445 - Cinema and Society

3

CST 474 - Internship

3

CST 391, 491, or 492 - Special topics courses as appropriate

or

Journalism- Take CST 352 - Writing & Reporting and CST 403 - Communication Law, plus any two of the following: